At The End Of This Line Is Our Prologue

"Kill them."

As the man completely disappeared through the portal, Athan's grip on his swords tightened, and he shifted his gaze from the portal to Arthur and his companions.

"Atha-!!" Arthur's warning was cut short as Athan abruptly vanished from his position, causing the ground beneath to crack and form a small crater when he reappeared right in front of Arthur.

'I won't be able to dodge in time!' Arthur's thoughts raced as he braced himself for the impending attack. Just as he felt the surge of danger, William intervened, his scaled body glowing with a newfound strength.

"William..."

"Don't just lie there! Get up!" William's commanding voice and forceful push propelled Athan away, his gaze shifting to Arthur with a stern expression.

Arthur's breath caught in his throat as he realized William's quick reaction had saved him from Athan's attack. A mix of gratitude and urgency surged through him as he met William's intense gaze.

"Looks like all of us will have to gang up on Athan." Lumine's fingers cracked audibly as she flexed her knuckles, raising her weapon in preparation.

"I'll take on a supporting role," Leo chimed in, his magic coursing through their bodies, enhancing their physical strength collectively.

With a shared understanding, they converged on Athan, their collective efforts combining to create a stronger force.

"I'll attack up front and take on the tank role since I have the highest defensive capabilities among us." William didn't wait for their response, vanishing and reappearing before Athan.

Clang-!

His sharp claws clashed against Athan's sword, creating a shower of sparks as the two weapons met.

Feeling slightly frustrated that William had rushed forward without waiting to hear the plan, Arthur took a deep breath to calm himself down. He muttered under his breath, "Why is that guy so impatient?"

As the clash between William and Athan continued, the sound of clanging metal echoed through the air with each collision. Lumine, Sophia and Leo swiftly moved into position, flanking Athan on both sides with their weapons at the ready. Lumine's weapon crackled with energy as Leo's aura enhanced their physical strength, preparing for their coordinated attacks.

Their attacks began with calculated precision, each move designed to minimize risk while maximizing impact. In this synchronized dance of combat, they were united, each member of the team carrying out their role with unwavering determination.

"Why does none of you can't even wait for the plan!" Arthur called out, his voice edged with annoyance. But there was no time for further words as the battle raged on.

The clash of weapons echoed through the air, mingling with the grunts of exertion and the occasional shout of strategy.

"Leo, on your left!" Lumine's voice cut through the din, her warning allowing Leo to parry a sudden strike from Athan.

Despite the initial frustration, Arthur focused on the task at hand. He analyzed the ebb and flow of the battle, watching for openings and weaknesses. With each clash, he gained a better understanding of Athan's fighting style, the rhythm of his attacks, and the patterns he followed.

As the fight continued, Arthur's frustration began to fade, replaced by a growing determination. He realized that the key to their success lay in their ability to adapt and work as a team. William's impulsive charge had thrown off their initial plan, but now they were adjusting and finding their rhythm once again.

In the midst of the battle, Arthur's thoughts crystallized into a plan. He glanced at Lumine and Leo, their synchronized attacks weaving a web of pressure around Athan. With a determined expression, Arthur tightened his grip on his sword and joined their coordinated assault.

"Leo, high strike!" Arthur's shout was punctuated by the clang of Leo's sword against Athan's right sword, creating a shower of sparks.

Clang-!

Shiing-!

As they continued to work together, their attacks became more synchronized and precise. Athan's defenses began to crack under the onslaught, and the tide of the battle started to turn in their favor.

"William, now!" Arthur's voice carried a note of urgency as he provided the opening they needed.

With a final, well-coordinated strike, they managed to disarm Athan and bring him to his knees.

As the dust settled, Arthur looked at his companions, a sense of accomplishment and pride swelling within him. Despite the initial setbacks, they had pulled together, adapted to the situation, and emerged victorious. It was a testament to their teamwork and determination.

However...

"....?"

"Leo!"

Before anyone could react, Athan seized Leo's wrist and yanked him close, using the tentacles on his right arm to constrict around Leo's neck.

"Urk-.... Bluaa-!"

Suddenly, Athan tore out Leo's Adam's apple, causing blood to spurt and stain the surroundings.

"Athan!!"

Lumine's composure shattered in the face of this horrifying sight.

She lunged at Athan, her intent to kill palpable, but he swiftly kicked her away, sending her tumbling towards Sophia and William.

Before they could even begin to regain their footing, Athan discarded Leo's lifeless body and made a swift escape.

Arthur's eyes bore into Leo's lifeless form, his jaw clenched in anger, before he made up his mind. He couldn't let Athan get away with this. Without a word, he set off after Athan, disappearing into the depths of the forest.

"Arthur! Stop!"

The others called out to him, their voices filled with urgency, but he paid no heed, his determination propelling him forward.

While he was running, a certain thought entered his mind. 'Should I regress again?' But, he immediately shook this off by shaking his head and focusing on his main goal - to catch Athan.

...

..

.

"This is how far you can go, Athan. You can never escape now." Arthur took his stance and glanced at their surroundings.

At the end of them was a cliff. Athan was trapped with no other choice but to fight head-on.

As Athan realized he had no way to escape, he turned to face Arthur with a fierce determination in his eyes. The tension in the air was palpable, both fighters understanding that this would be a life-or-death battle.

Athan clenched his fists and summoned the tentacles on his right arm, the slimy appendages writhing as they prepared to strike. Arthur, on the other hand, gripped his sword with a firm hand, his knuckles turning white with the pressure.

Without a word, the clash began.

Clang-!

Athan lunged forward with surprising speed, tentacles extending towards Arthur. The sharp ends aimed for his vital spots, aiming to pierce his flesh and end the battle quickly. But Arthur was no pushover. With a swift sidestep, he narrowly avoided the attack, feeling the wind as the tentacles brushed past him.

Clang-!

Foosh-!

Taking advantage of Athan's momentary vulnerability, Arthur swung his sword in a precise arc, aiming for Athan's side. However, Athan twisted his body just in time, evading the blade by a hair's breadth. The clang of metal echoed through the air as Athan retaliated with a powerful kick, aiming for Arthur's abdomen.

Shuu-!

Clang-!

Arthur managed to block the kick with his sword, his muscles straining against the force behind Athan's attack. With a grunt, he pushed back, creating some distance between them. Athan didn't waste a second, immediately launching another assault with his tentacles.

This time, Arthur was ready. He deflected the tentacles with quick and precise sword strikes as he dodged Athan's other sword, his movements fluid and calculated. Athan's tentacles moved with a disturbing elegance, their slimy texture making it difficult for Arthur to land a solid hit.

As the fight raged on, both men's stamina was wearing thin. Athan's attacks became more desperate, his movements less controlled. Arthur saw an opening and seized the opportunity. With a swift feint, he drew Athan's attention to his left side, then quickly shifted his stance and lunged towards his right.

"Haaaaaaaa!!!"

Splurt-!

Athan realized his mistake too late. Arthur's blade pierced through his defenses, finding its mark in Athan's chest. A gasp escaped Athan's lips as he staggered back, his tentacles retracting in pain. Blood seeped from the wound, staining his clothes crimson.

For a moment, they locked eyes - Athan's expression remained emotionless, Arthur's with determination. With a swift and forceful push, Arthur drove the blade deeper into Athan's heart, the sound of flesh and bone yielding to the sharp edge resonating in the air.

Athan's body went limp, and he took a few steps backwards until he was only a step away from the cliff. The world around him seemed to fade as darkness crept at the edges of his vision. Arthur held his sword with two hands, his breathing heavy, his heart pounding in his chest. He watched what Athan would try to do next.

"Sorry... This is the only way," Arthur mumbles as he bit his lower lips. "I can't afford to regress again... I'll just save you in our next life after this."

The battle was over. Athan had been defeated. And as Arthur stood there, catching his breath, he couldn't shake the weight of what he had just done.

"I'll finish this..."

He was about to take another step when suddenly....

"Ha... Haha... Hahahaha..."

Athan began to laugh as blood began to gush out from his wound and mouth.

"What is he...?"

Suddenly, a loud shattering noise stopped him from talking. What came next is when he look up, he saw that the sky above began to reveal a crack similar to a broken glass.

"He can't possibly be planning to rewrite everything..."

But...

[Commencing, Project Rewrite...]

At the sudden robotic voice rang through the whole world, not only Arthur and his companions began to panic, but everyone around the world were included.

-What the hell is happening...?

One of the townfolk from Adam's kingdom asked.

-I-I don't know either...

At the Arcanian Central City's plaza, people gazed upward in astonishment, their mouths agape at the incredible sight that unfolded in the sky above them.

The sky appeared fractured, a massive fissure tearing through its expanse, revealing a colossal eye that fixated its gaze on the mesmerized crowd below.

A series of enigmatic messages materialized within the very air, shimmering with an otherworldly glow.

[Initiating Project Rewrite...]

[Hello, I am System No. 759E. The designated guardian of this realm, known as {server 1 - Earth/Sapte Cosmo}]

[Now that we've had our little introduction, let the countdown to the reset's commencement begin. Thirty seconds remain...]

[Commencing in 30...]

[29...]

[28...]

[27...]

[....]

...

..

.

(Athan's Perspective)

[The prerequisites have been met.]

"Finally..."

[Player has captured the attention of the Great ⬛.]

A cold sensation began to creep over me, my consciousness waning with each passing moment. My body, drained of strength, was giving in.

[A novel destiny is now unfurling...]

Arthur gingerly extracted his sword from my chest, frustration etched on his face as he glanced away.

[The Great ⬛ has reached a verdict....]

Taking tentative steps backward, I halted at the cliff's edge. Clutching my chest where Arthur's blade had found its mark, I looked at them and offered a faint smile.

"Ha... Haha... Hahaha....!" In a situation where there was nothing more to lose, laughter erupted from within me.

"Thank you, everyone." The words, barely audible, were meant for Arthur's ears alone. With those parting words, I took one final step, allowing myself to plummet over the edge of the precipice.

"Athan!!" Arthur's voice echoed as he hurled himself off the cliff, propelled by determination to follow me.

"My apologies..." I murmured softly, the last utterance before my vision was enveloped by a blinding light.

[The new era shall bear the title....]

[Re: Write The Villain.]